At least 23 people have died in two separate road accidents in Kebbi State, with victims including travellers from Sokoto State and young footballers from Birnin Kebbi.
The deadliest crash occurred late Monday night along the Sokoto–Yauri Road when an 18-seater commercial bus carrying passengers from Lagos collided head-on with a trailer.
According to reports, the bus was conveying 20 passengers, most of whom were returning to Sokoto after travelling to Lagos in search of work. Eighteen people died at the scene, while two others survived with minor injuries.
Residents who responded to the accident described the collision as devastating, saying the bus was completely destroyed and many of the victims' bodies were badly mutilated.
Bello Muhammad, a member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), said he joined others in evacuating the victims after receiving news of the crash.
"We arrived at about 4 a.m. and found that 18 people had already lost their lives," he said.
A close associate of the bus owner, Shehu Jabo, said some of the victims were buried in Yauri because their bodies could not be transported home. He alleged that the trailer crossed into the bus's lane before the collision.
The Chairman of Shagari Local Government Area, Barrister Maidawa Kajiji, confirmed the incident and expressed condolences to the bereaved families.
In a separate accident, five young men travelling to a friendly football match lost their lives after the Toyota Sienna conveying them lost control and somersaulted along Airport Road in Birnin Kebbi.
The vehicle was carrying 18 passengers. Several others sustained injuries and are receiving treatment.
During a condolence visit to Ambursa community, the Kebbi State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Abubakar Umar Dutsinmari, said Governor Nasir Idris witnessed the accident.
On behalf of the governor, the state government announced ₦20 million in support for the families of the deceased. It also approved ₦1 million for each injured victim and ₦2 million for the remaining occupants of the vehicle.
The two crashes have renewed concerns over road safety on major highways in Kebbi State, particularly involving commercial vehicles and long-distance travel.
